Sterling Is Not In It For The Money

I wonder what player or what person involved in a well paying gig will say money is not a factor, probably a Nigerian public school teacher. Footballers get paid well though. In fact on the list of highest paid sportsmen, a footballer is second.

When you’re doing something you love, money doesn’t seem to motivate, but the accolades and glory you acquire seem to do the job. This doesn’t mean money won’t play a role in decisions being made.

If there’s one thing footballers don’t like, it’s to be called money-grabbers. Raheem Sterling has come out to register his frustration after being likened to a money-grabber.

The Liverpool forward who is currently earning £35,000 per week has refused to make any long term commitment to the club. The 20-year old England youngster has two years left on his contract, but has refused to take a contract that sees him getting £100,000 per week and staying at the club longer.

For a player his age and what he brings to the table, Sterling deserves the six-figures he is being offered. He says though that he would rather focus on playing the game than letting contract talks get in the way of that.

He told BBC Sport “I just want to focus on football and, when it gets to the end of the season, assess my position as a 20-year-old player playing in the Premier League.

“I keep hearing I’ve rejected all sorts of contracts. Me, the club and my reps have spoken about it and put talks on hold until the end of the season, so it’s frustrating to hear the contract situation keep going on and on.

“I don’t want to be perceived as a money-grabbing 20-year-old. I just want to be seen as a kid that loves to play football.

“Money is not everything in my life. I’ve got family, a daughter – these people mean everything to me.

“I think anyone around me can vouch for me that it has never been about money.

“It is about winning trophies throughout your career; I don’t talk about how many cars I will drive or how many houses I’ve got.

“It is flattering to get a huge contract (offer). I just purely want to be the best I can be.

“I want to be seen as the one who wants to do best for the team and I don’t want the fans to think bad of me, to think I just want as much money for myself.

“It has been a bit much for me this season with everyone talking about it every minute.

“I just want to get through this season helping the club do the best we can do and hopefully at the end of the season be proud of what we have achieved.”

You know why Liverpool fans are worried they’ll lose their wonderkid? He is being courted by other clubs who could pay more than Liverpool are offering.